Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Pernod Ricard Korea CEO heads overseas amid investigation
By Baek Byung-yeul
Jean Touboul, CEO of Pernod Ricard Korea
By Baek Byung-yeul
Jean Touboul, CEO of French liquor company Pernod Ricard's Korean unit, has returned to France, while under investigation over allegations of suppressing union activities.
According to a May 16 report from local broadcaster JTBC, the CEO abruptly left Korea this month while he was being investigated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor for allegations that he has been trying to get rid of the union of Pernod Ricard Korea for years.
Lee Kang-ho, a chief of the Korean unit's union, said employees of Pernod Ricard Korea were treated unfairly simply because of their union membership.
“I was told not to work and put on hold for a change of duties for 15 months. This makes me tired,” Lee was quoted by the JTBC report as saying that the company forced him to take online education in a solitary office during his working hours.
One employee said there have been no raises in the past 10 years, and claimed the company offered them a raise if they quit the union.
Due to these allegations, the CEO was called on to attend National Assembly hearings twice in the last three years.
When asked during a May 4 hearing if the CEO should be subject to an international travel ban, Labor Minister An Kyung-duk said the ministry was working on the investigation.
In regard to the issue, Pernod Ricard Korea said, “Jean Touboul is on a business trip. This trip is a business trip for job transitions and he plans to return to Korea when his work is completed in mid-June.”